Doerkson backs budget, hopes for big cut of forestry funds
VICTORIA -- British Columbia's incoming Conservative premier Lorne Doerkson is all-in on the budget tabled by Prime Minister Mark Carney's Liberal government.
Wolfgang Depner
While National Newswatch does not keep an archive of external articles for longer than 6 months, we do keep all articles written by contributors who post directly to our site. Here you will find all of the contributed and linked external articles from Wolfgang Depner.
Repealing B.C. housing legislation would be a mistake, says UBC expert
VICTORIA -- A glut of empty condos in British Columbia should not be seen as evidence that the market is working, said a housing expert who warned against winding back policies of the outgoing NDP government designed to tame prices and rent.
B.C. premier-designate Doerkson doesn't see quick end to trade war post U.S. midterms
VICTORIA -- British Columbia's incoming premier says he doesn't see a quick end to the trade war with the United States despite significant election losses by Republicans under President Donald Trump.
It would be a mistake to repeal B.C. housing legislation, says UBC expert
VICTORIA -- A housing expert says the current glut of empty condos in British Columbia should not be seen as evidence that the housing market is working, and she warns against repealing key parts of the out-going NDP government's housing legislation.
B.C. Conservatives turmoil didn't stop the political donations from flowing
VICTORIA -- The Conservative Party of B.C. raised almost three times the donations as the New Democrats during the third quarter of 2026, despite experiencing internal turmoil at the time.
Difficult and unpopular decisions ahead, B.C. premier-designate Lorne Doerkson says
VICTORIA -- British Columbia premier-designate Lorne Doerkson said the Conservative caucus of 63 legislators is united to lead the province but he also warned of difficult and unpopular decisions ahead.
Former B.C. minister says he's focused on family, but leaves door open to politics
VICTORIA -- Former New Democrat housing minister Ravi Kahlon says his priority is his family after opting not to run in the snap election that toppled his party's government -- but he is not closing the door on politics.
Jennifer Whiteside named BC NDP's interim leader with unanimous support
VICTORIA -- Former minister Jennifer Whiteside has been named the interim leader of the BC NDP after the party's crushing defeat in last weekend's election.
Jennifer Whiteside named BC NDP's interim leader
VICTORIA -- Former minister Jennifer Whiteside has been named the interim leader of the BC NDP after the party's defeat in last weekend's election.
Next BC NDP leader faces 'reputational challenge' of deficit blowout: Horgan adviser
A former adviser to John Horgan says the next leader of the BC NDP will face a "reputational challenge" of proving the party can be trusted with taxpayers' money, something he says the late former premier established with a $5.7 billion surplus when he left office in 2022.
Some B.C. legislators qualified for full pension a day before election
VICTORIA -- British Columbia's snap election on Saturday was held a day after a dozen legislators crossed the threshold for a full pension, including four NDP MLAs who lost their ridings or did not run.
Cut tax, reduce deficit, grow economy. Can B.C. Conservatives do it all at once?
VICTORIA -- With two-thirds of the seats in the next legislature, the B.C. Conservatives may have a resounding mandate to follow through on their election promises to cut taxes, reduce the deficit and grow the economy at 3.2 per cent -- but some economists say the challenge will be doing it all at once.
Cowichan Tribes to propose solution protecting private property in January: lawyer
VICTORIA -- The lawyer for the Cowichan Tribes says they will make a proposal in January that protects private property rights in the landmark Aboriginal title case that the B.C. Conservatives have said calls into question who controls British Columbia.
B.C. Conservative's Lorne Doerkson sets out urgent priorities to govern
VANCOUVER -- British Columbia's premier-designate Lorne Doerkson's long to-do list includes lowering taxes, while reviewing the provincial finances, working with Alberta and the federal government on the proposed Pacific Link pipeline and repealing Indigenous legislation.
B.C. Conservatives prepare to move to power after decisive two-thirds majority
VANCOUVER -- Premier-designate Lorne Doerkson is wasting no time after his Conservatives swept into power last night in British Columbia, announcing a former deputy to the premier to lead his transition team.
CP NewsAlert: BC NDP Leader David Eby wins Vancouver-Point Grey, loses election
VANCOUVER -- The Canadian Press decision desk is projecting that British Columbia NDP Leader David Eby has been re-elected in his riding of Vancouver-Point Grey, but his party has lost the election to the B.C. Conservative Party.
Eby says Doerkson a 'Trojan horse' for Conservative extremists as B.C. campaign wraps
VANCOUVER -- NDP Leader David Eby says interim B.C. Conservative leader Lorne Doerkson is a cover for extremists in his party who could oust him if he is elected premier, as campaigning wraps up ahead of Saturday's provincial vote.
B.C. NDP Leader Eby campaigns in Vancouver, while Tories heads to Surrey
VANCOUVER -- British Columbia NDP Leader David Eby campaigns in Vancouver and Richmond today after wrapping his swing through the vote-rich city of Surrey with a rally.
Costed B.C. Conservative platform promises $2.6 B in growth, $10.8B deficit
The British Columbia Conservatives say their election platform amounts to restraint, not austerity, and will create $2.6 billion in new revenue over three years, while shrinking the deficit to $10.8 billion by 2030.
Eby asking Green voters to support B.C. NDP to defeat Conservatives
VICTORIA -- British Columbia NDP Leader David Eby is appealing to Green voters as the snap election slated for Oct. 24 enters its final week, but Green Party Leader Emily Lowan says he is trying to scare voters into choosing him.
British Columbia NDP Leader Eby asks Green voters to think carefully about vote
VICTORIA -- British Columbia NDP Leader David Eby is appealing to Green voters as the snap election slated for Oct. 24 enters its final week.
A Yes for Green's Lowan because 'someone has to save the trees,' voter says
VICTORIA -- Jim Leard had just cast his ballot for Emily Lowan on Friday when he ran into the British Columbia Green Party leader outside a high school in Greater Victoria.
Grand Chief Stewart Phillip endorses B.C. Greens' Lowan, while backing Eby as premier
VICTORIA -- Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, a longtime British Columbia NDP ally whose late wife was a legislator for the party, has thrown his support behind Green Party Leader Emily Lowan in her bid to win in her Vancouver Island riding.
B.C. Conservatives dump teenage candidate accused of making Hitler remarks
VICTORIA -- The British Columbia Conservatives have dumped a teenage candidate in the provincial election after he was accused of posting "offensive" remarks online about the Holocaust and Hitler.
B.C.'s Eby says proposed Indigenous land transfer legislation is about saving money
VICTORIA -- British Columbia NDP Leader David Eby is defending draft plans by his previous government to limit the compensation of forest companies when land is transferred to First Nations.
Eby admits imperfections as B.C. leaders face off in only televised election debate
British Columbia NDP Leader David Eby repeatedly acknowledged his government's imperfections in a debate where his B.C. Conservative and Green Party rivals railed against his record on the economy, health care and Indigenous rights.
U.S. sets tax total for Canadian softwood lumber exports at almost 35 per cent
VICTORIA -- The BC Lumber Trade Council says Canadian softwood lumber now faces total import taxes of almost 35 per cent after the latest review from the U.S. Department of Commerce.
David Eby was B.C.'s political giant-killer. But has he overplayed his hand?
VICTORIA -- Politics, like curling, is all about geometry.
British Columbia leaders offer competing economic ideas in front of business leaders
The leaders of the two major parties running in British Columbia's election pitched business leaders with infrastructure commitments, including a new shipyard and promises of tax cuts.
British Columbia NDP Leader Eby floats new shipyard in B.C., Conservatives tax cuts
The leaders of the two major parties running in British Columbia's election pitched business leaders with infrastructure commitments, including a new shipyard and promises of tax cuts.
B.C.'s Eby declines to reveal size of donation after $10-a-day daycare revelation
The cost of childcare in British Columbia and questions about who deserves a subsidy program dominated the provincial election campaign Tuesday as the provincial Conservatives accused NDP Leader David Eby of dodging questions about his family's use of $10-a-day childcare.
B.C. NDP Leader Eby says not everybody shares his concerns about Trump
VICTORIA -- The NDP's election campaign in British Columbia has moved on from the threat of Donald Trump's tariffs to focus on affordability issues.
British Columbia Conservatives plan to end no-fault insurance, leaked letter shows
VICTORIA -- The future of no-fault auto insurance was a key focus in British Columbia's election campaign Tuesday as the two major party leaders accused the other of neglecting drivers.
NDP, Conservative, Green leaders to debate on Oct. 14, 10 days before B.C. election
VICTORIA -- A date has been set for the only live and televised leaders' debate in the British Columbia provincial election.
OneBC says former Conservative leader Findlay and husband Chapman were threatened
VICTORIA -- Political party OneBC says former Conservative legislator Brent Chapman and his wife, Kerry-Lynne Findlay, have been subjected to a "torrent of threats and abuse from insiders."
NDP, Conservatives, Greens throw rocks at each other over tax changes, health care
VICTORIA -- British Columbia's election campaign stepped on the slippery ice of health-care policy and how to pay for it Monday as leaders offered numerous promises, including a plan to restart projects that had been paused by the former NDP government.
NDP, Conservatives, Greens trade barbs on taxes, health care B.C. election campaign
VICTORIA -- Health care and taxes dominate the British Columbia election campaign, with the Conservatives criticizing the NDP's record, while the Greens panned a New Democrat taxation plan.
B.C.'s Eby promises new tax on millionaires to help pay for health care
British Columbia NDP Leader David Eby said his party would introduce a new tax bracket for those who earn $1 million or more and raise the existing rates of the two highest brackets to help pay for health care, if re-elected.
B.C. Conservatives field 93 candidates, New Democrats one short of full slate
VICTORIA -- The field of candidates running in British Columbia's snap election is set after the office overseeing elections released the final list of candidates.
B.C. New Democrats one short of full slate, only Conservatives field 93 candidates
VICTORIA -- The office overseeing elections in British Columbia says the provincial NDP under Leader David Eby is not running candidates in all 93 ridings.
B.C.'s Eby promises relief at gas pumps, while Conservative Doerkson praises pipeline
VICTORIA -- Promises to lower the cost of gasoline from B.C. New Democrat Leader David Eby, and praise for a planned pipeline from Conservative interim leader Lorne Doerkson fuelled British Columbia's snap election campaign on Thursday.
B.C.'s Eby promises to temporarily suspend gas tax, regulate prices at the pump
VICTORIA -- British Columbia NDP Leader David Eby is promising relief at the gas pumps under a re-elected government, and he has a plan to crack down on corporate price gouging.
B.C.'s large parties on track to field candidates in all ridings as deadline looms
VICTORIA -- The major parties running in British Columbia's election appear to be on track to fill each of the 93 ridings, but smaller parties are struggling ahead of the Oct. 3 nomination deadline.
LNG expansion in northern B.C. amid provincial election boosts Eby's party: expert
Prime Minister Mark Carney stepped onto a chair Tuesday at a photo opportunity after a multibillion-dollar LNG announcement and came eye-to-eye with the six-foot-seven-inch David Eby, making both leaders laugh.
B.C. Conservative turned New Democrat, Boultbee, won't run for re-election
VICTORIA -- A high-profile legislator who says she was "threatened, spat at, disowned, and abused" for crossing the floor to the British Columbia NDP this summer won't be running again in the provincial election.
Party leaders make economic, budget promises in Week 2 of B.C. election campaign
VICTORIA -- Resource development and making British Columbia an "energy superpower" to grow the economy would allow for a new provincial government to pay down record deficit, both the NDP and Conservative party leaders said on the campaign trail Monday.
B.C. Conservatives promise no new taxes if elected on Oct. 24
VICTORIA -- The British Columbia Conservative Party is promising -- if they are elected to form government on Oct. 24 -- that it "will never raise taxes" on residents, interim Leader Lorne Doerkson said.
B.C. Conservatives promise no new taxes if elected on October 24
VICTORIA -- Lorne Doerkson says a future Conservative government in British Columbia under his leadership would not bring in new taxes, if elected on Oct. 24, when British Columbians head to the polls in a snap election called last week.
Former UBCM president calls B.C. snap election a 'party foul' that could have waited
VICTORIA -- A British Columbia municipal leader said warnings about overlapping elections are coming true, as the snap provincial election on Oct. 24 is soaking up staff and attention from the municipal elections on Oct. 17.
B.C.'s Eby says NDP would tax new, unsold condos, raise speculation, vacancy fees
VICTORIA -- British Columbia NDP Leader David Eby says his government would introduce a new tax on unsold condominiums and hike the existing speculation and vacancy tax to improve housing affordability if his party is re-elected on Oct. 24.
Rustad's partner in rise of B.C. Conservatives hails him as party's 'founding father'
VICTORIA -- A former British Columbia Conservative executive who helped John Rustad orchestrate the rise of the party from obscurity is honouring its former leader as a trailblazer who transformed the province's political scene.
Former candidate asks Conservatives to 'plug' noses for any concerns about leader
VICTORIA -- A former British Columbia Conservative candidate has urged members of the party to "plug" their noses and accept Lorne Doerkson as their permanent leader if he's successful in the province's snap election on Oct. 24 and build from there.
Former candidate asks B.C. Conservatives to 'plug' noses for any concerns about leader
VICTORIA -- A former British Columbia Conservative candidate has urged members of the party to "plug" their noses and accept Lorne Doerkson as their permanent leader if he's successful in the province's snap election on Oct. 24 and build from there.
B.C. Conservatives vow new rule to keep Doerkson leader, as Rustad exits
The British Columbia Conservatives moved Wednesday to head off suggestions that interim leader Lorne Doerkson would not remain premier if he wins the Oct. 24 election, as it announced former leader John Rustad would not be among its candidates.
CP NewsAlert: Former B.C. Conservative leader John Rustad not seeking re-election
The British Columbia Conservative Party says its former leader, Nechako Lakes legislator John Rustad, will not be standing in the Oct. 24 election.
Former B.C. Conservative leader John Rustad not seeking re-election
The British Columbia Conservative Party says its former leader, Nechako Lakes legislator John Rustad, will not be standing in the Oct. 24 election.
B.C. Conservatives say rule changes will keep Doerkson leader if he wins election
The British Columbia Conservatives moved Wednesday to head off suggestions that interim leader Lorne Doerkson would not remain premier if he wins the Oct. 24 election.
Eby touts public health, says Conservatives would turn B.C. into 'America Junior'
New Democrat Leader David Eby said his party is the clear choice for standing up to U.S. President Donald Trump, while the British Columbia Conservatives would turn the province into "America Junior," complete with health-care privatization.
Brenda Bailey is fourth NDP cabinet minister who won't run in B.C. election
High-profile British Columbia cabinet minister Brenda Bailey won't be running for re-election in the Oct. 24 vote, becoming the fourth minister in David Eby's government to drop out.
BC Green's Emily Lowan to run in Victoria-area riding as Rob Botterell steps aside
British Columbia Green Leader Emily Lowan says she plans to run in the provincial election in what is considered a safe riding for her party in the Victoria area.